Baths hold a special place in Japanese culture and history whose purpose is not only to cleanse the body but provide a deeply immersive experience that rejuvenates the mind, body, and soul. It offers people an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life towards a realm of peace and serenity. The history of these complex Japanese bathing dates back to the 6th century. Japanese public bathhouses serve as the common place for these baths that have interesting features and people have specific rituals and ways to bathe. One of the more common questions to be found is why Japanese keep towels on their heads. 

TYPES OF TRADITIONAL BATHS

There are two main types of traditional baths in Japan: onsen and sento. Onsen are natural hot springs heated by geothermal activity, while Sento are public bathhouses that use heated water. Both offer similar experiences, with soothing hot water and communal bathing areas where visitors can relax and unwind.

THE TOWEL CULTURE

It's a genuinely unique culture of brings towels to baths. Japanese bath towels or  ‘Tenugui’ are different from regular towels. They are rectangular-shaped, thin, and cotton-made towels. They are quick-drying and highly absorbent. 

Towels are brought to ‘Onsens’ since it has been a tradition for generations. They are used to wash the entire body before bathing in the communal bath for hygienic reasons.

Towels are not supposed to be dipped into the hot water since it will contaminate the onsen water and it's a disgrace to Japanese hygienic standards and customs. Plus, it’s also used to maintain modesty to hide the sensitive areas of the body.

Lastly, those towels provide comfort whether can be used as a pillow or kept on the head. So why is it kept over people’s heads? There is not much meaning to it. It's just kept there if there is no place to keep your towels and you want them to be dry. It also is believed to cool the head to prevent hot flushes.

CONCLUSION

Overall, towels play a multifaceted role in Japanese baths, serving as tools for cleanliness, modesty, comfort, and cultural expression. They enhance the bathing experience and contribute to the serene atmosphere of Japanese bathhouses.